Abstract:Carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry characteristics and storages of all components in a secondary plateau-surface karst evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest in central Guizhou Province, southwestern China, are analyzed and estimated. Results show N and P concentrations vary greatly among species and organs. C/N and C/P are highest in leaf and lowest in stem. N/P shows no significant (P > 0.05) differences among organs. Litter and woody debris present significantly (P < 0.01) higher N/P than live vegetation. Soil C, N and P concentrations decrease with increasing soil depth. Soil C, N and P concentrations and N/P in the first top layer (0-10 cm) are significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those in deeper soils. C/N and C/P show no significant (P > 0.05) differences among soil layers. C, N and P storages of the entire forest are 172.42, 5.24 and 1.19 Mg/hm2, respectively. Most C (54.69%), N (84.46%) and P (97.26%) are stored in soils. Compared with nonkarst forests, the karst forest presents lower leaf C and N concentrations, higher soil C concentration and lower C, N and P storages.